Tag: Baroness Tonge

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Baroness Tonge on 2016-01-12.

To ask Her Majesty’s Government how they intend to ensure that the government of Israel complies with the UN General Assembly resolution adopted on 22 December 2015 regarding unilateral economic measures as a means of political and economic coercion against developing countries.

Baroness Anelay of St Johns

UN General Assembly resolutions are not legally binding; Article 10 of the Charter of the UN states that the General Assembly “may make recommendations to the Members of the United Nations or to the Security Council”. The UK, and all other EU Member States, abstained on the General Assembly resolution regarding unilateral economic measures as a means of political and economic coercion against developing countries. The UK, the EU and other Member States are of the view that unilateral economic measures should respect the principles of international law, including the international contractual obligations of the State applying them and the rules of the World Trade Organization where applicable. The UK, the EU and other Member States consider that such unilateral economic measures are admissible in certain circumstances in particular when necessary in order to fight terrorism and the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction, or to uphold respect for human rights, democracy, the rule of law and good governance. The UK has no plans to ensure any particular country complies with this resolution.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Baroness Tonge on 2016-02-01.

To ask Her Majesty’s Government what discussions they have had with the government of Israel regarding the deaths of two people killed during protests in Gaza in mid January.

Baroness Anelay of St Johns

We are deeply concerned by the recent violence in Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territories and deaths and injuries of both Palestinians and Israelis during this time. Since the start of the current violence, Ministers and officials have spoken regularly to both the Israeli government and the Palestinian Authority on the urgent need to de-escalate the tensions. Officials from our Embassy in Tel Aviv most recently raised concerns over the use of force by Israeli security forces with Israeli officials on 3 February.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Baroness Tonge on 2016-02-22.

To ask Her Majesty’s Government in the light of the Procurement Policy Note:Ensuring compliance with wider international obligations when letting public contracts of 17 February stating that boycotts in public procurement are inappropriate unless formal legal sanctions, embargoes and restrictions have been put in place by the UK Government, what assessment they have made of the connection between that advice and the Foreign and Commonwealth Office position that Israeli settlements are illegal and support for them is not encouraged.

Baroness Anelay of St Johns

The Government’s position on the illegality of settlements remains unchanged. Settlements are illegal under international law, constitute an obstacle to peace and take us further away from a two-state solution.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Baroness Tonge on 2016-02-29.

To ask Her Majesty’s Government what action they intend to take following the demolition by Israel of the only school in the Abu al-Nuwaar community near the town of al-Eizariya in the occupied West Bank.

Baroness Anelay of St Johns

Whilst we have not raised this particular demolition with the Israeli authorities, our position is clear: demolitions cause unnecessary suffering to ordinary Palestinians and are, in all but the most exceptional of cases, contrary to international humanitarian law. We regularly raise the issue of demolitions with our Israeli counterparts.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Baroness Tonge on 2016-03-21.

To ask Her Majesty’s Government what, if any, discussions they have had regarding breast ironing; and with whom.

Baroness Anelay of St Johns

The Government is concerned about the harmful practice of breast ironing in some Commonwealth and other African countries. Whilst there is little data on the number of girls suffering from this abuse, we have, for example, worked with the government and religious leaders in Cameroon on campaigns to raise awareness and to support community-led efforts to end breast ironing.

The Government condemns violence against women and girls in all its forms and places gender equality at the heart of our bilateral development programming. In Nigeria we are investing over £40 million to change harmful social norms towards women and girls, and to protect women and girls against violence. I raised these issues with the Government of Nigeria during my visit to the country in February. Baroness Verma, the Parliamentary Under-Secretary at the Department for International Development (DfID), discussed gender-based violence in South Africa in October 2015, including DfID’s support to the re-establishment of South Africa’s Sexual Offences Courts and its work with the African Prosecutor’s Association on research into preventing violence against women.

The manifestations of violence against women and girls may change but it is critical to address the structural causes of violence, including harmful beliefs and attitudes. We shall continue to work through diplomatic and development channels to engage with governments and local communities in Africa and beyond, to support the rights of women and girls, including ending harmful practices which constitute violence.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Baroness Tonge on 2016-04-11.

To ask Her Majesty’s Government what representations they have made to the government of Israel regarding reports that a 12-year-old Palestinian girl from Hebron, imprisoned in Israel, has been interrogated without the presence of her parents or an attorney.

Baroness Anelay of St Johns

We have not raised this specific incident with the Israeli government but understand from media reports that the girl involved has now been released. Israeli law grants all suspects the right to consult a lawyer but does not insist that a suspect is interrogated in the presence of a lawyer. Military law also does not allow for parents of minors held on security charges to be present during the interrogation. We have repeatedly urged the Israeli authorities to improve their handling of Palestinian children in custody and remain committed to working with Israel to address this issue.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Baroness Tonge on 2016-05-03.

To ask Her Majesty’s Government what representations they have made to the government of Israel regarding the ban on the import of cement into Gaza for the private sector since 3 April.

Baroness Anelay of St Johns

We remain deeply concerned by the situation in Gaza. Officials from our Embassy in Tel Aviv and our Consulate General in Jerusalem regularly raise the need to make progress towards a durable solution for Gaza, and press for practical steps to advance reconstruction and economic development with both the Israeli government and the Palestinian Authority.

We are concerned about recent reports of diversion of cement entering Gaza through the Gaza Reconstruction Mechanism. While we understand Israeli security concerns, new restrictions on the import of cement have resulted in a delay in reconstruction activity and will have a significant impact on employment. The Department for International Development’s support to the Material Monitoring Unit helps to identify such cases of diversion and ensure that appropriate action is taken.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Baroness Tonge on 2016-05-18.

To ask Her Majesty’s Government what representations they have made to the government of Israel regarding the firing of tear gas canisters at journalists in front of Ofer Prison.

Baroness Anelay of St Johns

We have not raised this issue with the Government of Israel. However, the UK has repeatedly made clear to Israel our longstanding concerns about the manner in which the Israeli Defence Forces police non-violent protests. We are clear that protection of the freedom of the media is an important part of respecting human rights.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Baroness Tonge on 2016-06-06.

To ask Her Majesty’s Government what representations they have made to the government of Israel regarding the wounding with live fire of fishermen who were working within three nautical miles of Gaza, and the subsequent arrest of fishermen and confiscation of boats on 31 May.

Baroness Anelay of St Johns

Whilst we have not raised this specific issue with the Government of Israel, officials from our Embassy in Tel Aviv have expressed our concern previously over the Israel Defence Forces’ use of live fire against fishermen and also about the confiscation of their boats.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Baroness Tonge on 2016-07-11.

To ask Her Majesty’s Government what representations they have made to the government of Israel concerning reports of Israeli troops shooting a Palestinian with Down’s Syndrome who posed no threat to those troops.

Baroness Anelay of St Johns

While we have not made any representations to the Israeli authorities on this specific case, we have raised our concerns with the Israeli authorities in the past about the Israel Defence Forces’ use of live fire, urging robust and transparent investigations where appropriate.